Keansburg Man Posed as Cop to Commit Robbery

Keansburg, NJ - A Keansburg man was convicted by a Monmouth County jury on Dec. 24 for impersonating a law enforcement officer, as well as committing armed robbery.

Steven Rinck, 49, of Seabreeze Way in the borough, said he was a member of the New Jersey State Police in order to force his way inside a Keansburg home in October. He then stole cash and drugs at gunpoint.

The incident happened on October 21, 2012, the county prosecutor says. Rinck, armed with a gun and a fake search warrant, convinced a Seeley Avenue resident in Keansburg to let him in, by claiming he was a member of the New Jersey State Police. Once inside, Rinck stole cash and drugs from the victim and also from a friend who arrived at the residence shortly after Rinck’s arrival.

Rinck then forced the two men at gunpoint into his car. He later released the second victim, but took the first victim on a ride in search of drugs, and made additional claims that he worked for the State Police Gun Trafficking Unit and wanted information regarding where to obtain guns. The victim was finally released by Rinck and reported the incident to Keansburg Police, sparking an investigation which led to his arrest.